Everyone wants to feel young, energetic and be in top health as they get older, and it seems some aging men and women might have discovered the secret. According to a recent study by researchers in China and Canada, very healthy elderly may have gut microbes similar to those of healthy 30-year-olds.
The scientists pulled data from a population of Chinese citizens from ages three to over 100 years old. All were self-selected as in good health, with no problematic conditions or family history of disease. The results indicated that those who are in good health also have a healthy composition of microbes in their gut.
In fact, according to the study published in mSphere, the gut microbiota varied very little from super-healthy individuals, whether they were aged 30 or 100—another hot finding in an area of health science that may hold answers for aging better and warding off disease.
Of course, there’s still a lot more to discover about the gut and the bacteria that live there. “The aim is to bring novel microbiome diagnostic systems to populations, then use food and probiotics to try and improve biomarkers of health,” said Gregor Reid, professor at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute, according to a press release.
Study principal investigator Greg Gloor says these findings show that “maintaining diversity of your gut as you age is a biomarker of healthy aging,” almost like low-cholesterol is a marker circulatory health. According to Reid, while cool, these results are still an incomplete picture. “It begs the question—if you can stay active and eat well, will you age better, or is healthy aging predicated by the bacteria in your gut?” he says.
With more testing, science will eventually uncover gut bacteria’s more specific role in antiaging. But in the meantime, there are still things experts say you can and should do to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, as you age. Here’s a quick cheat sheet.
6 Healthy Habits That Can Help You Feel Young
Keep Moving
According to Ken Yeager, PhD, director of the Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, every little bit of movement counts when it comes to staying healthy and agile. “The more you move, the more you ensure that your body is able to continue moving,” he explains. “So take a 30 minute walk, or work around your house.” For optimal results, Yeager says to try completing one simple chore a day, instead of leaving them to do all at once. Paint a room, organize your closet, garden in the spring, pick up leaves in the fall. Consistency is a good way to keep up with tasks around the house, and maintain your health.
Connect with Friends
Believe it or not, friends can actually improve your health, says Yeager. “Staying in contact with friends will help with both areas of well-being, both physical and mental,” he explains. “You will likely keep moving as you connect with your friends, and by having consistent interaction with friends you will stay social; social connectedness goes a long way in helping you feel vital, needed, and young.” Having strong connections and love in your life is one of the key element of well-being, according to experts.
Revisit Old Favorites
As you get older, it’s common to abandon some of the activities you enjoyed as a kid—like riding a bike, or listening to music. “If you can reconnect with the things you enjoyed as a teen, you will reconnect with youthful vitality that you might have thought was gone,” says Yeager. “It’s actually not gone, as much as it is forgotten.” It’s a great time for that now, with holiday rituals upon us. “Nothing will make you feel like a kid again than making snacks, cookies, or family recipes you enjoyed as a child or adolescent.” Time to break out your favorite holiday ingredients!
Eat Like a Mediterranean
Of all the decisions you could possibly make for health and longevity, following the Mediterranean diet is one of the best—it can help to reduce your risk for a number of chronic diseases and other conditions. “Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, olive oil and mixed nuts are the foundation of the Mediterranean diet,” says neurologist Douglas Scharre, MD, director in the Division of Cognitive Neurology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “These items are not only linked to boosting the brain power of elderly people, but they also have been shown to be even more beneficial to your health than a low-fat diet by protecting against type-2 diabetes, preventing heart disease and stroke, and reducing muscle weakness and frailty in aging bones.”
Play Games and Puzzles
There’s a reason word puzzles and games help young children grow their minds; they help the young-at-heart remain cognitively healthy, as well. “In addition to the daily crossword puzzle, challenge yourself to new problem-solving exercises,” says Scharre. “Puzzles and games, especially those involving novelty, can stimulate and challenge key parts of the brain, including reasoning, language, logic, visual perception, attention, and flexibility.” Try Sudoku, break out a chess board, or challenge your kids to dexterous video game.
Kick That Bad Habit
If you still smoke, there’s no time like the present to save some more of your future. “One of the reasons smoking is bad for your body is that it can hinder brain function,” says Scharre. “Research has proven that smoking just one cigarette a day for an extended period can reduce cognitive ability, and smoking 15 cigarettes daily hinders critical thinking and memory by almost two percent.” As smoking also creates bad breath and gum problems, it’s time to visit a general dentistry clinic and have your dentist check your oral health. You may also consider getting dental implants or ceramic crowns.
When you stop smoking, your brain benefits from increased circulation almost instantly, says Scharre. So, work toward kicking the habit as much as you can. If you want, you can try using alternatives such as those Disposable vape kits to curb your cigarette smoking.
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Source: Fitbit Blog
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